Indian Antiquary Vol 09

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 28

22
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(JANUARY, 1880.
In the third year of the Khien-te period of the The king of Eastern India had a son called Songs (965 A.D.) Tao-yuen, a Buddhist monk | Ma n-ch u-s hili (Manjusri), who arrived of Tsang-ch eü, returned from the Si-yu at the capital in the train of some Chinese (Western countries). Having obtained a portion monks. Thaï-tsong (who mounted the of the she-li (Sarîrâ) or relics of Buddha, namely, throne in 976) ordered him to be lodged in the a vase of rock crystal and forty bundles of Siang-küð-sse convent. He observed rigidly Indian books written on palm leaves, he came the Buddhist precepts, and won the esteem and to offer them in homage to the emperor. admiration of the inhabitants of the capital.
Ta oyu en had gone to visit the Si-yu in the The emperor having loaded him with riches Thion-fu period (947 A.D.), and had travelled for and favours, all the monks envied and hated twelve years. He had resided for six years in him, and as he did not understand the Chinese the five Indias. By the five Indias Thien-cha language, they fabricated a false petition, in is meant. On his way back he passed through which they represented him as asking permisYü-thien" (Khotan), and arrived at the sion to go back to his own country. The same time as the ambassadors (of the emperor). emperor granted him permission. Thaïts a called him to the palace and ques. When the decree was passed, Man-chutioned him on the customs, mountains, rivers shi-li (Manjusri) was at first filled with stupor and itinerary of the countries through which and indignation. The monks told him that he had travelled. To all of these questions he the decreo was irrevokable. After some months gave answers.
he went away, announcing that he was going In the fourth year of the Khien-te period (966 to the coasts of the Southern Sea on board A. D.) the monk Hing-kin, followed by fifty. a merchant vessel. It was never known to what six companions, came to the gate of the palace, country he went. and told the emperor that he wished to go to the In the seventh year of the Thai-p'ing-hingBiya (the Western countries) to obtain some Icié period (986 A. D.), Künng-yü en, a monk Baddhist books. His request was granted. of I-cheü, went to India, and on his return
They travelled through the districts of Khan. brought the emperor a letter from the king of chea, Sha-cheu, I cheu, Su-cheu, etc. the king that country whose name was M0-si-n ang. doms of Yen-ki (now Kharasbar), Kieu-tse The emperor ordered Shi-hu (Dânapala P), (Kuohe), Yu-thien(Khotan), K 0-10(Kolom).
an Indian monk, to translate it into Chinese. etc. They passed also through the kingdoms The following is the letter :-"Lately I have of Pu-lu-8 ha (Purushapura, now PoshAwar), learned that there is in the kingdom of China Kia-shi-mi-lo (Kashmir), etc. and all the a king as great as he is enlightened, perfectly Princes passed decrees and issued orders to holy, perfectly intelligent, and who by his the inhabitants to be careful to guide and con- majesty and power reigns supreme. Every duct them.
day I think with confusion of my bad fortune, After the Khai-pao period (963-975) and lament that I cannot go in person to pay several" Indian monks arrived without molesta- homage to you. From afar I look affectiontion, bringing with them Buddhist manuscripts ately towards the capital of China and wish your to give to the emperor.
holy person ten thousand folicities. In the winter of the eighth year (976), "On the arrival of Kuang-yüen, I had the Yang-kie-kü ang-lo (others read Yang-kie- honour to receive a holy statuette enriched with shue-lo, Angkasvara ?), son of the king of diamonds, representing Sakyamuni seated in Eastern India, came to pay tribute and do the attitude of felicity, and divine calm. I homage to the emperor.
clothed myself in kia-sha, and made offerings to According to the laws of India, when a king him. dies, he is succeeded by his eldest son (Kumára. "I humbly desire that the august emperor of rája); the other sons leave the family and China may obtain perfect felicity and under embrace a religious life, and they are no longer standing, that he may enjoy long life in order allowed to reside in their native kingdom. to guide every creature to happiness, and that • Hu-t'an, Bretachneider, ut. sup. p. 151.-ED.
" Pauthier says 'one',-1.8. p. 70. 10 Bretschneider, ut. sup. p. 140.